Chapter 107 Xiahou Jie

Upon hearing this, Xiahou Jie's lips curled up slightly, and he shrugged his broad shoulders nonchalantly, his handsome face displaying an indifferent expression.

He replied casually, "Well, actually, I'm not really that interested in joining the army."

Then, he took a small step forward, getting closer to Dai Xingyun, and continued in a relaxed tone: "Besides, think about it, you're all alone in the countryside, the conditions there must be very harsh."

"Besides, your health isn't very good to begin with, how could I possibly feel at ease? So, after thinking it over, I've decided to just come with you on this trip!"

As soon as he finished speaking, a mischievous glint flashed in his bright eyes, and he winked playfully at Dai Xingyun, as if to say, "Well, aren't you moved by my decision?"

"Now that we've all registered, and I'm all safely seated on this train, it's too late to back out now."

"Don't keep sulking! By the way, are you hungry? If you are, should I go and get you something nice to eat?"

As he spoke, he made a move to get up and go to the dining car to buy food.

Hearing Xiahou Jie's thoughtful words, Dai Xingyun felt a surge of warmth in his heart, and his eyes welled up with tears.

Looking at his good friend who had always been by his side for so many years, he sincerely thanked him: "Thank you, Lao Xia!"

Dai Xingyun never expected that just because he had helped Xiahou Jie once when they were children, Xiahou Jie would follow him so faithfully for so many years.

"They've helped me countless times. This time, they even came along without hesitation for such a tough job as going to the countryside..."

"We're practically family, do you think you need to thank me?"

Xiahou Jie smiled and gently threw a punch, landing lightly on Dai Xingyun's shoulder, as if the punch contained the deep, unspoken affection between them.

Meanwhile, somewhere a thousand miles away, Shen Xiaoxiao was immersed in a beautiful natural landscape.

Her bright eyes sparkled with excitement, and as if she had discovered some rare treasure, she exclaimed, "Brother, come and see! I never thought I could find saffron here!"

Hearing his sister's call, Shen Xiaochuan quickly walked over.

He looked at the few bright flowers, a look of doubt on his face, and asked in bewilderment, "Saffron? What is that? I've never heard of it before."

Shen Xiaoxiao excitedly explained to her brother, "Saffron is also called crocus. It is a very precious Chinese medicinal herb! It has many effects such as promoting blood circulation, removing blood stasis, cooling blood and detoxifying. It can be used to treat many diseases."

For example, it can be used to treat common problems such as irregular menstruation, dysmenorrhea, and blood stasis in the heart. And, because it's relatively rare, it's also quite expensive!

After saying that, Shen Xiaoxiao smiled smugly, seemingly very proud of her knowledge of saffron.

One after another, as if blessed by nature, the two discovered many extremely precious medicinal herbs.

Time flies like an arrow, and before we know it, day after day has passed.

In just over a month, they actually earned more than 2,000 yuan.

That evening, after selling the last batch of medicinal herbs, Shen Zishan dragged his slightly tired but joyful steps back home.

He walked straight to his daughter, Shen Xiaoxiao, who was sorting medicinal herbs in the yard, and said to her earnestly, "Daughter, I have something to discuss with you. Tomorrow, don't go up the mountain to collect herbs anymore. Let's make some medicine from the herbs we've collected these past few days and send it to the families in the village who need it."

Hearing her father's words, Shen Xiaoxiao was slightly taken aback at first, then fell into deep thought. After a moment, she nodded gently, indicating her agreement, "Okay, Daddy! I'll listen to you. I'll make medicine at home tomorrow and then deliver it to the villagers." Seeing his daughter agree so readily, Shen Zishan couldn't help but breathe a sigh of relief. Actually, before this, he had been somewhat worried that his daughter would be reluctant to give up this rather lucrative business, after all, the profits earned this year alone far exceeded the total of previous years.

The next morning, sunlight filtered through the dappled leaves, casting a golden veil over the Shen family's courtyard. Shen Xiaoxiao, however, hadn't stepped outside all day. She had locked herself in her small pharmacy, diligently preparing various ointments with different effects. Her movements were skillful and efficient; in no time, she had produced a large quantity of ointments of all shapes and sizes—some for rheumatism and bone pain, some for preventing colds, and others specifically for headaches… a wide variety indeed.

When it was time to leave work, they were all delivered one by one.

"Oh, little girl, thank you so much! My old leg pain has been awful, and I've tried so many remedies without anything working. But after using your plaster, the effect is immediate!"

"Look, this plaster is almost gone. If you hadn't brought it to me in time, I'm afraid I would have had to shamelessly ask you for it in a few days!"

Grandma Lin smiled so hard her eyes narrowed into slits, and the wrinkles on her face danced merrily.

"Grandma Lin, why are you being so polite with me? This is what I should do. Alright, I won't bother you any longer, I still have to go deliver medicine to other people."

After finishing her story, Shen Xiao ran off as swiftly as a light deer, leaving behind only a string of silvery laughter echoing in the air.

And so, throughout the morning, Shen Xiaoxiao tirelessly traveled between households, delivering all sorts of medicines to those who needed them.

By the time she finally delivered the last packet of medicine, the sun was already high overhead, so bright that it was hard to open one's eyes.

Dragging her slightly tired body, Shen Xiaoxiao embarked on her journey home. Not far along, she saw a person walking towards her from not far ahead—it turned out to be the brigade leader.

She quickly stopped and respectfully greeted, "Greetings, Captain!"

The captain nodded slightly in response.

He had only taken a few steps when, as if suddenly remembering something, he turned back. He looked at Shen Xiaoxiao with a smile and asked gently, "Little girl, I'd like to ask you for a favor. Is that alright?"